MP questions Siemens' ability to deliver trains

A DERBY MP has questioned whether Siemens will be able to deliver the Thameslink rail contract on time following reports in the German media that the company has fallen behind on another contract.

The German manufacturer, which was awarded the £1.4 billion deal ahead of Derby's Bombardier, has come under fire after failing to deliver a fleet of inter-city trains to national rail company Deutsche Bahn.

Siemens has blamed system failures.

Derby North MP Chris Williamson believes this now raises doubts over Siemens' ability to deliver the Thameslink trains on time. The company, which was named preferred bidder for the deal by the Government last year, will build the trains in Germany.

But the company is yet to sign a final deal with the Department for Transport over how the work will be funded. Both Siemens and the DfT have said that an agreement should be reached early next year.

But Mr Williamson said he had "serious concerns" over Siemens' ability to deliver the Thameslink trains and believed the contract should be awarded to Bombardier's Litchurch Lane factory "before it is too late".

He said: "How much more does the Government need to see to prompt a rethink?

"These latest revelations cast a serious shadow over Siemens' ability to deliver. They are behind schedule for the German national rail network and have been unable to confirm a date when those trains will be ready.

"Surely now the Government will accept that the situation has changed since it made that dreadful original decision. Bombardier needs to be promoted to preferred bidder status as swiftly as possible to put an end to all this uncertainty."

In the meantime, Mr Williamson has now submitted more parliamentary questions to the DfTand has written a further letter to the Transport Secretary Patrick McLouglin about Siemens' performance.